West Coast Vancouver Island – Second Hurdle
We are about to begin the next major challenge on our trip around Vancouver Island: Rounding Brooks Peninsula with notorious Cape Cook at its end. This is the second great cape on Vancouver Island. Brooks Peninsula is a mountainous, rectangular promontory that extends some 6 miles into the ocean. To The First Mate, it looks like an ungainly shoebox jutting out from the land. Positioned at the northwestern point of the Peninsula is Cape Cook, infamous for its conflicting currents and high-velocity winds. We first learned about the Brooks Peninsula last year after frequently hearing horribly bad weather advisories for the area in the daily marine weather forecasts.
Off Cape Cook is Solander Island. Here, the use of the word “island” is a bit over complimentary, for the reality is a barren, lifeless mass of rock with shoals and reefs extending out all around it and back to Cape Cook. The guides say to stay at least 1.5 to 2 miles off the coast. We do not intend to test the guides.
Monday, June 30th – Yesterday morning, we had checked the weather forecast and learned that conditions were supposed to be favorable around Brooks Peninsula. This morning from deep inside Klaskish Basin, we are unable to receive any radio transmission. The first thing The Captain wants to do is get an update on the weather.
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At 0800, we retrace our route out the narrow channel and leave the Inlet picking up our empty shrimp trap. The Captain’s disparaging comments on the lack of success of this shrimping venture are increasing.
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The sky is overcast, grey and threatening. The First Mate is uneasy with the look of things, but the updated weather forecast shows nothing menacing. The Captain decides to venture forth. Winds are low, but the seas are choppy. Within an hour the winds have picked up to 12 knots so we turn into the wind and raise sail.
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Climbing the mast in calm seas and benign winds to attach the main halyard is relatively easy, but it can be an adventure in the rolling seas that we find in Brooks Bay.
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Ever vigilant on the wind monitor, The First Mate sees 20 knots flash and immediately notifies The Captain of this occurrence. Most desirous of a happy crew on this rounding of Brooks Peninsula, The Captain puts a reef in the mainsail. Much to The First Mate’s chagrin, winds remain variable from 6 to 18 knots, and the 20 knots is not seen again. But that does not diminish her sense of security at having the first reef engaged. Avante is cruising along at 7 to 8 knots even with the single reef. That’s acceptable. Winds move around from NW to SW as we continue out along the northern shore of the Peninsula.
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At 1120, we are rounding Solander Island and are about 3 miles off Cape Cook. We’re very pleased that all is going quite smoothly. South of Solander, we encounter fog. Winds are blowing right on our nose as The Captain tacks us nicely back and forth down the short side of this ungainly shoebox. Sailing in and out of fog, we round the southwestern point and head back toward the coast. About an hour from our anchorage, the winds decrease to the point where we take down the sails and motor into Columbia Cove to anchor for the evening.
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By 1630, we are anchored and secured. The two most treacherous capes on the west coast of Vancouver Island have been successfully navigated.
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We are relieved and pleased. Advanced planning coupled with monitoring of wind and weather conditions, as well as a bit of luck, made for uneventful legs. Ahead of us are still 11 days of sailing the waters and exploring the shores of the west coast of Vancouver Island.